Does Hallmark Have Chemistry Read Before Casting Romantic Leads?
Hallmark releases close to 100 romantic movies every year. In addition, they now have three series such as When Calls The Heart which includes some romantic stories. Therefore, it is natural to assume that the leads have to do a chemistry read before they are cast, right?
What do we know about casting leads in a Hallmark movie or series?
Do Hallmark Leads Test For Romantic Chemistry Before Filming Romantic Movies?
Hallmark is the network for romances and romcoms. Therefore, viewers may assume that the leads have to do a chemistry read. We checked up with Hallmarkies podcaster and film critic, Rachel Wagner, who gave us the scoop.
Rachel has interviewed nearly every Hallmark star at least once, and she always asks if there is a chemistry read. Her answer is surprising.
She explained that there is rarely a chemistry read. However, most often, leading couples will often go out to dinner before they start filming. This is a way to get to know each other so they can develop chemistry.
Tamera Mowry-Housley Wants To Know How They Pair Up Hallmark Leads
Now that we know that Hallmark rarely has a chemistry read, one star wants to know how they pick their leads. When Tamera Mowry-Housley recently spoke to the Hallmark Happenings podcast, she questioned why they paired her up with her lead.
They use a lot of the same actors. So now I’m like, ‘Who are they going to put me with?’ Like, who am I going to be paired with, you know, on a film, who’s gonna be my male lead or who’s going to be my female lead? Like, who do I get?
Although she is determined to ask Hallmark execs, she seems to have figured out how this process works. Moreover, she knows that this is not random. “I’m sure it’s not just pulling out of a hat.”
This is my assumption. I feel like maybe they look at the acting style. Also look at what they want from the characters, you know, that are in the film. And they take that risk, you know.
One Exception Is When Calls The Heart
When has Hallmark had chemistry reads? They did when they cast for When Calls The Heart. However, they did it interestingly. They had done some chemistry reads. Then, they coupled up their favorite pairs and chose their favorite.
Daniel Lissing told the Deck The Hallmark podcast that he and Erin Krakow were paired up. They both knew they had fabulous chemistry. The rest is history.
Another Exception Is Hallmark Movies And Mysteries Nikki & Nora Sister Sleuths
When Hunter King recently spoke to Rachel Wagner on the Hallmarkies podcast, she revealed that there was a sort of chemistry read between her and Rhiannan Fish. This was for the new Hallmark Signature Mystery Series Nikki & Nora Sister Sleuths.
They left the two young actresses alone, and they soon were giggling and getting along just like sisters. Immediately, they knew they found their match! Moreover, Hunter and Rhiannon are now besties.
Is Penny Perry A Secret Matchmaker?
Who does the casting for the feel-good network? Penny Perry has been the main casting for Hallmark. On IMDb, she has over 400 credits from Cocoon, to My Big Fat Family Christmas. She seems to know exactly who to match together.
Penny is the one who matched up Kristoffer Polaha and Jill Wagner for the hugely popular Mystery 101 series. In addition, Perry is the one who had to find a substitute lead to star with Eloise Mumford in One December Night.
Originally, an unnamed actor was to star with Mumford. However, they had to back out, and Penny brought in Brett Dalton. There must have been some Christmas magic going on because Eloise and Brett fell in love while filming this Countdown to Christmas movie.
Or, Penny is a secret matchmaker.
However, this magic does not seem to be exclusive to Penny Perry. Kara Eide and Kris Woznesensky paired up Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally for The Sweetest Heart. The two went out to dinner to work on their chemistry. Fast forward five years and the two are parents of a baby girl that will turn one in June!
Hallmark Casts Real-Life Couples
In addition to putting couples together, Hallmark also will cast real-life couples like Alexa and Carlos PenaVega. Although Alexa will often work with other actors, this couple has starred in many movies together, including the Picture Perfect Mystery series.
In addition, real-life couple Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace have also starred in a couple of Hallmark movies. When they both joined When Calls The Heart in Season 6, they were never paired up. However, the two found love on set.
Moreover, they got engaged in New York City over the Christmas holiday season.
Hallmark Casts Television Couples
Sometimes the network will cast romantic leads based on their previous work. These reunions, such as James Denton and Teri Hatcher’s Desperate Housewives reunion movie was A Kiss Before Christmas. This fan-favorite was the first Desperate Housewives reunion of any kind.
In addition, ER’s Gloria Reuben and Eriq LaSalle were reunited for the movie A Second Chance At Love.
Are you surprised that Hallmark rarely does chemistry reads?
